New Robben Ford...if you dig da bluze.

**jbear** · 04-29-2026, 09:29 AM

Still doing Robben Ford things. Originally, it was going to be a straight-up Jeff Beck tribute, which seemed very incongruous to me, but he abandoned that path and went with "influenced by." Solid as you'd expect, but I really don't get the "Jeff Beck" that is supposed to have influenced the writing. It's dedicated to Beck and Dumble...I get the Dumble part. Have only given it a cursory listen, so maybe I'll "get it" as I listen more.
Still...I always dig listening to RF play.

**jbear** · 04-29-2026, 11:51 AM

It's really good! If you're an RF fan...you'll dig it. Happy to say that POG pedal is nowhere to be heard

!

**wolflen** · 04-29-2026, 12:35 PM

Here is a young Ford doing his Bloomfield influenced blues (19:10)

I think he is playing a Super 400 style ..Coryell used this on his early work.

**Christian Miller** · 04-29-2026, 02:06 PM

I saw Robben in London last year... was cool. He lives here now, which is nice.

**yebdox** · 04-30-2026, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

I saw Robben in London last year... was cool. He lives here now, which is nice.

Robben is a bit of a wanderer. California to Nashville for a few years, then Paris for a year or so, then London, now moving to Italy!

Absolutely one of my faves of all time. Miss being able to see him in clubs on a weeknight in LA, but that was 40 years ago. Many fond memories, always a fantastic live player, don’t miss the opportunity!

**Christian Miller** · 05-01-2026, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by yebdox

Robben is a bit of a wanderer. California to Nashville for a few years, then Paris for a year or so, then London, now moving to Italy!

Absolutely one of my faves of all time. Miss being able to see him in clubs on a weeknight in LA, but that was 40 years ago. Many fond memories, always a fantastic live player, don’t miss the opportunity!

The weather probably got to him

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**jbear** · 05-05-2026, 01:21 PM

I used to go see him at Mikell's in the City on 97th and Columbus fairly regularly. Would sit 15 feet away...AWESOME!

**MiniMerckx.22** · 05-05-2026, 10:06 PM

It's not about surfing Europe but rather....not living in usa.
I really enjoy his time feel. There is something about it that strikes me as Metheny esq.

Originally Posted by yebdox

Robben is a bit of a wanderer. California to Nashville for a few years, then Paris for a year or so, then London, now moving to Italy!

Absolutely one of my faves of all time. Miss being able to see him in clubs on a weeknight in LA, but that was 40 years ago. Many fond memories, always a fantastic live player, don’t miss the opportunity!

**yebdox** · 05-06-2026, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by MiniMerckx.22

It's not about surfing Europe but rather....not living in usa.
I really enjoy his time feel. There is something about it that strikes me as Metheny esq.

Maybe like a lot of artists, he has a better and more lucrative following in Europe. The club scene has gotten more limited here over the years and my impression is he has always done well in Europe and Japan. Our loss.

**ruger9** · 05-06-2026, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by MiniMerckx.22

It's not about surfing Europe but rather....not living in usa.
I really enjoy his time feel. There is something about it that strikes me as Metheny esq.

I watched him say it's simply because live, improvised music is such more appreciated in Europe, and therefore more beneficial for live gigs/touring and making money... touring is also easier because it's smaller landmass, easier to tour simply. Easier to make money there than here, at least with his music. It wasn't political, if that's what you were implying.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 05-06-2026, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by ruger9

I watched him say it's simply because live, improvised music is such more appreciated in Europe, and therefore more beneficial for live gigs/touring and making money... touring is also easier because it's smaller landmass, easier to tour simply. Easier to make money there than here, at least with his music. It wasn't political, if that's what you were implying.

I played for Larry Garner (Louisiana Blues Hall of Famer, wonderful songwriter / player / performer, and a truly good guy) for 13 years. He gradually shifted his touring to Europe and Asia, telling me there was much more respect for performers and artists out of the US. Musicians were / are treated much better and it was simply easier to practice his craft and earn a living elsewhere. Sadly, I'd have had to quit my day gig to go with him - so I only got to play with him when he was touring the northeast and mid Atlantic. He finally stopped coming to most of the places here that he'd played for years because they weren't paying any more in 2005 than they were in 1995, they stopped putting the band up in decent hotels if they were still covering expenses at all, and many weren't even feeding the guys. The last gig I did with him was the Hudson River Park Blues Festival in NYC in 2008.

I backed a great singer named Sydney Ellis at the '99 North Atlantic Blues Festival. She'd moved from LA to Germany years before for the same reason. I've heard this from every international performer with whom I've played. I think the evidence of this is clear - there are far fewer places to hear live jazz and blues in the US. Only the big names and venues remain generally available, and the cost to everyone (performers, promoters, vendors, audience etc) is astronomical. So I'm not surprised that Robben Ford is among those who'd simply rather be elsewhere. It's apparently much easier and a lot more pleasant for working artists of all kinds.

**jbear** · 05-06-2026, 10:26 AM

Scott Henderson says almost exactly the same thing.

**Question** · 05-06-2026, 12:20 PM

I can personally confirm this fact as someone who moved permanently from San Francisco to Germany in 1994 after being on tour in Europe for three years.

P.S: Robben Ford had a big influence on my playing, and I had the pleasure to hear/meet him several times in the US and Europe; glad he is over here now.

**alltunes** · 05-06-2026, 01:03 PM

Regarding the album mention in the OP, the first track’s lead guitar tone reminds me of the Jeff Beck Wired tone. Other than that you’re right I don’t hear any Jeff Beck influence. Unless you want to consider the fact he adapted a “Beatle” tune…Lennon’s Jealous Guy

**Oscar67** · 05-12-2026, 02:05 AM

Apart from one song, I really like the album. Good songs, great playing. And so much to appreciate here in terms of groove, timing and note choice. His guitar sound is fantastic.